 Pieces of Me, by Natalie Hart, narrated by Penelope Rawlins Part 1 Pre-Deployment Chapter 1 I did not cry when he told me he was leaving. We both knew that the war would draw him back eventually. We both knew that it was a question of when, not if. That sooner or later equipment would be organized and bags would be packed and months of separation would follow. But still, it has happened sooner than I imagined. I did not cry when he told me he was leaving, although his words slammed into my chest and forced the air out of my lungs. Five months ago I was there myself, but I exchanged the beige of Baghdad for the vast skies and rolling peaks of Colorado. Sample complete. Ready to continue?